Whittle Doodle Block Heads 2 was carved in a basswood block measuring two inches square and seven eights inch tall. Eight heads were carver around the four sides with a skull carved in the center. Newly made OTHER KNIVES for Miniature Carving were used to carve each head at random times over a period of a few days. The time in between the actual carving was used to imagine what faces to carve next. This “imagination” time is an essential time for any carving project while following the “Imagination Rule: if it can be imagined it can be.”
The knives pictured above are OTHER KNIVES for Carving Miniatures. Miniatures are any smaller carvings that will fit in a two-inch cube. OTHER KNIVES is the name given to indicate experimental knives made by the Wood Bee Carver for his personal use. Three of the knives in the photos are modified Helvie mini-detail knives and the other with the pistol shaped handles were made using old pocket knife blades that were reshaped and sharpened by hand.
The WOOD BEE CARVER has always been fascinated with the carving of faces by attempting to make each face have a personality of its own. This Whittle Doodle Block Heads carving was carved in a two-inch square by inch tall block of basswood.
The WOOD BEE CARVER is primarily a knife carver who also has enjoyed the sideline activity of turning old pocket knives into carving knives. Old junk pocket knives were purchased very cheaply at junk stores, flea markets and garage sales over the years for the purpose of salvaging these once noble instruments of boyhood lore.